On the Mekong

On the Mekong Day Tour

Explore Luang Prabang – Lao

1 Day Photography Tour along Luang Prabang’s Mekong River

Explore life on the the banks of Luang Prabang’s mighty Mekong on this unique early morning photographic tour. We capture dawn breaking over the Mekong River River, before joining saffron-robed monks returning from the Alms Giving Ceremony in Luang Prabang town. On the far bank, we take a short wander through the quiet villages and temples, where we begin to build a photographic story of life by the Mekong. At the river ferry stop, we will see novice monks mixing it with traders, carrying stock from the morning market. We’ll be looking at how to photograph people. We end with a trip downriver to capture local fishermen bringing in their catch, and see the carpentry, weaving and market gardening which is typical to a Mekong village.

5:30 am

Hotel pick-up by tuk-tuk

6:00 am

We set up at a quiet spot overlooking the Mekong River, and enjoy a short introduction to camera settings and the tour. As the sun rises over the river, we’ll focus on composition for landscapes, and an establishing shot for a 3 picture story. We then climb aboard our boat.

6:30 am

Saffron-robed monks now emerge on the riverbank and board their longboat to make the river crossing back to their pagoda. We follow and capture pictures of this visually rich moment, the monks’ robes and golden alms-bowls bright against the dark blue river.

7:00 am

We then head further downriver to a larger pagoda complex. We climb some steps to the highest point, and have a cup of tea or coffee overlooking the river and short photo review.

7:30 am

We climb aboard our boat again and head down to the town ferry station, a bustling spot at this time of day. Novice monks are on their way to school, and locals returning from Phousi market carrying crates of goods. Our attention now is on the relationship shot – depicting people at work or play.

8:00 am

Our boat now carries us downriver to a local fishing village. We’ll have time on the way to review pictures and preview the next part of the tour, as well as enjoy the lush river scenery.

8:20 am

The fishermen are at work, casting their nets or bringing in early morning catch. We’ll focus on capturing these men at work against the riverside landscape.

8:40 am

We climb ashore for a photographic wander in this traditional Laotian village. The friendly villagers work on carpentry, loom-weaving and preparing the vegetables they grow for sale at market. We’ll also have a look at the village’s own huge racing boats, stored at the pagoda for Luang Prabang’s annual race.

9:10 am

We head back upriver to town, and have time for breakfast on the riverbank and a final review of photos.